Cavs: Mulling the possibilities with the 19th overall pick

Sixth in a series previewing Thursday's NBA draft. Today: Who will Cavs pick at No. 19? Thursday: Who will be Cavs' No. 1 pick? Final mock draft

If the Cavaliers keep the 19th overall pick, they hope to get a player that could earn a spot in Coach Mike Brown's rotation.

If they somehow land Russian swingman Sergey Karasev, however, he might be able to move into their starting lineup.

The Cavs appear to be one of several teams chasing after the left-handed Karasev, who played on the Russian national team.

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The 6-foot-7, 197-pounder is not an elite athlete, but knows how to play.

"No European player is super athletic," Probasketballdraft.com's Joe Kotoch said. "He's athletic enough. He can create. He's only 18 or 19 years old. He's the son of a coach."

Karasev's outside shooting, which extends to the 3-point line, is attractive to teams.

"(The Cavs) need shooting," Kotoch said.

And so does the rest of the league. Some observers think if the Cavs want Karasev, they'll have to move up in the draft. There is talk that the Cavs might have a deal in place with Dallas for its No. 13 pick and veteran forward Shawn Marion. The Cavs might offer Nos. 19, 31 and 33 to move up to 13 to nab Karasev.

One scout compared Karasev to NBA sharpshooter Kyle Korver. He was one of the top scorers in Russia's top professional league.

Defensively, he's so-so. His intelligence and length will make him serviceable on that end.

The following are some other possibilities at 19:

-- Jamaal Franklin, San Diego State, swingman, 6-5 1/4, 191: "He might go 19," Kotoch said. "It might not be to the Cavs." Kotoch said he thinks the Cavs will make the deal with Mavericks to acquire the 19th pick. Franklin is a bit limited offensively, but can impact a game on defense. Despite a gimpy ankle, Franklin performed well in a workout with the Cavs on June 19 against high lottery picks Ben McLemore, Victor Oladipo and Otto Porter.

-- Reggie Bullock, North Carolina, small forward, 6-7, 200: He's athletic and can shoot. He shot 44 percent from behind the arc last year with the Tar Heels. The Cavs are said to really like his game.

-- Rudy Gobert, France, center, 7-2, 238: He has a 7-8 1/2 wingspan and a 9-7 standing reach. He said he wants to get stronger and put on some weight. "I need to work on my shooting," he said. He's long and agile. "I can finish strong around the hoop," he said. "Right now I'm among the best players available in the draft."

NBA director of scouting Ryan Blake said he has questions about Gobert.

"His wingspan is one of the biggest ever," he said. "When you have someone like that at 7-2, he's very interesting. He can't come in right away and help. Right now, he's soft. He's not a great athlete."

Blake said he's under contract with his team overseas.

One scout said he's "dropping like a stone" in this draft. There's a good chance he's on the board at 19. If the Cavs go big at No. 1 with Kentucky's Nerlens Noel or Maryland's Alex Len, they will likely look for a wing at 19.

-- Gorgui Dieng, Louisville, center, 6-10 3/4, 230: He's another major shot-blocker. Scouts say he has more to offer offensively than he was allowed to display with the NCAA champion Cardinal.

-- Steven Adams, Pitt, center, 7-0, 255: At one point, there was a chance he'd be there at 19. Now, after several very good predraft workouts, the New Zealand native is on the rise. He said his versatility is something that separates himself from other centers. "I can move pretty well for a big guy," he said.

Blake is impressed with Adams.

"He has a lot of skills," he said. "He will struggle with the toughness of the games. He should have done more at Pittsburgh."

Blake said Adams could spend time in the D-League this year.

Rumor mill

- Don't write off rumors of the Cavs' pursuit of Celtics forward Paul Pierce. Boston reportedly wants a first-round pick for the 35-year-old Pierce. Milwaukee is also said to have interest in Pierce.

-- The Houston Chronicle reported that the Cavs are interested in acquiring Rockets power forward Thomas Robinson. The Rockets want to clear cap space in their free-agent pursuit of Dwight Howard. Robinson (6-10, 237) will earn $3.5 million next season."

-- The Cavs continue to gauge interest in trading the No. 1 pick. Sources told ESPN.com the Thunder, Timberwolves and Blazers have been the most proactive in trying to get the top pick, but thus far, the Cavs haven't found a deal to their liking.

-- Players invited to the NBA draft on Thursday in New York are usually a good indicator of who will be drafted in the top 15 or so picks. Players invited are Adams, UNLV forward Anthony Bennett, Michigan point guard Trey Burke, Georgia shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams, Karasev, Len, Lehigh point guard C.J. McCollum, Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore, Noel, Indiana shooting guard Victor Oladipo, Georgetown small forward Otto Porter and Indiana forward/center Cody Zeller.